David Cameron to blame for Libya becoming terror base for twisted ISIS fanatics, MPs say
Report concludes the ex-PM's Government did not do enough to pursue political options with Colonel Gaddafi
BRITAIN’S bungled air war in Libya opened up a major new terror training base for twisted ISIS fanatics, MPs say today.
The Foreign Affairs Committee today heaps blame on David Cameron personally for pushing through what they brand an “ill-conceived intervention” five years ago.
In a major report, it also slams the former PM for ignoring military chiefs’ warnings to ally with the French and bomb Colonel Gaddafi’s ranks.
Terrorists took advantage of the anarchy the air campaign created across the country to launch a series of devastating strikes from Libyan training camps, including the Tunisia beach massacre in 2015.
The report found: “Various tribes, independent militias and ISIL took advantage of the absence of central government to seize control of portions of Libyan territory.
“ISIL has used its presence in Libya to train terrorists.”
Committee chairman Crispin Blunt added: “The UK’s actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today”.
The government should have done far more to pursue political options to try to stop Gaddafi from crushing an uprising in the city of Benghazi before sending in jets, the MPs also say.
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That included opening up a communications channel via Tony Blair’s strong links with the Libyan despot, but the ex-Labour PM wasn’t approached.
Civilians could have been protected at the same time as allowing for regime change “at a lesser cost” to the UK and Libya.
Britain’s defence chief at the time Lord Richards told the MPs he didn’t support Mr Cameron’s decision, made during National Security Council meetings.
The committee also calls on the government to set up a “formal mechanism” to allow military and spy chiefs to make a formal protest about any future PM’s order they don’t think is right.
The report found: “Through his decision making in the National Security Council, former Prime Minister David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy.”
The Foreign Office said the decision to intervene in Libya was an international one, called for by the Arab League and authorised by the UN Security Council.
An FCO spokesman added: “Muammar Gaddafi was unpredictable and he had the means and motivation to carry out his threats.
“His actions could not be ignored and required decisive and collective international action.”